A memory stick containing sensitive information about police operations has been stolen from a Greater Manchester Police officer's home.

The device, which is not thought to be password protected, was taken from the house in Oldham on 17 July.

Police said one member of the public had been told that their personal information may have been compromised.

The officer has been suspended while an investigation and risk assessment is carried out.

A spokesman said the matter had been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and the Information Commissioner.

Not deliberately targeted

The force said a dedicated team of officers was working to identify the burglars and recover the device.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "I want to reassure residents across Greater Manchester that we are taking this incredibly seriously and we are working hard to both identify who was responsible for the burglary and recover the stolen memory stick.

"I want to stress that we do not believe the officer's home was deliberately targeted, but that this was an opportunistic burglary.

"I also want to make it clear that any suggestion this memory stick contained lists of names of people who 'tipped off' police is inaccurate.

"We know what is on the device because the officer has told us, and so far we have only had to speak to one member of the public whose personal information may have been compromised."

Police are appealing to anyone who finds the red and orange memory stick to call police immediately or hand it in to their nearest police station.

A black Volkswagen Gold, registration number MJ58 JVX, was also stolen during the burglary and police are appealing to anyone who knows of its whereabouts to come forward.